The Star. THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1924. TACKLING THE T.B. PROBLEM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17244, 10 January 1924, Page 6

The Star. THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1924. TACKLING THE T.B. PROBLEM.

Statements made at yesterday's conference on the subject of bone and joint tuberculosis laid strong emphasis on the fact that the milk-supply was one of the principal sources of infection among children. The cow, the milk pail, the dairy, the milkman, even the pasture, can all he carriers of the deadly germ. No inspection can be too rigid that renders them innocuous. Yesterday the “ Star ” published a cablegram which said that two Glasgow boys were, considered to be suffering from foot and mouth disease. Their tongues were swollen and ulcerated, and doctors considered that the boys possibly had been infected from milk. The menace is a grave one. A doctor said at yesterday’s conference that milk was the most dangerous food taken into 'tile house. A representative of the British Medical Association said that there was a general opinion that the bovine form was the principal form of tuberculosis in children. The superintendent of the Christchurch Hospital said that bovine tuberculosis was marked in young children.

What is required now is a vigorous and comprehensive campaign to reduce to the very lowest possible degree, the possibility of infection from cows. The alternative is the erection of additional buildings at the Christchurch Hospital to accommodate children who are suffering from diseased bones and joints, children whose life has been blighted by an evil that prompt action could have averted. A first necessity is to clear the air. Delegates from Farmers’ Unions and Dairying Associations must be persuaded to feel that the campaign is not hostile to their organisations and their interests. The health of their children is imperilled, more so perhaps than the health of the consumer’s children. Their industry is hit hardest by the spread of bovine tuberculosis. Were they to co-operate enthusiastically in the fight, the problem would be in a fair way to solution and the beneficial results all round would he extensive. In the interests of the children, it is of vital importance that disease in dairy herds should be stamped out. We hope the committee set up by the conference will waste no time and spare no effort to launch without delay a determined offensive on the tuberculosis menace. It can rely on the loyal support of every serious-minded citizen.